IT Calls on Government to Fill Stem Skills Gap

IT Calls on Government to Fill Stem Skills Gap

According to IT firm Expo, the government could be doing more to help bridge the skills gap.

The firm found that over three quarters of IT professionals think the government should be doing more to address skills gap within the IT industry.

The company claimed 75% of industry professionals feel the government is not doing enough to convince young people into taking up a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), despite initiatives being set up by the government promising to deliver 1,360 apprenticeships, 240 traineeships, 150 industry degrees, 230 modular masters modules and 5,900 workforce opportunities over the next two years.

IP Expo Europe director of strategy, Bradley Mauleffinch, said: "These jobs are high in demand and vital in boosting the UK economy so the government must do more to boost recruitment into these professions.

"It's disappointing that businesses don't feel the government is spending enough on STEM initiatives."

In North-East England, just under a quarter of respondents believe the government is doing enough to encourage young people into STEM careers in an attempt to close the IT skills gap.

Director of education programmes at Cloudera, Mark Morrissey, believes the government should partner with other organisations to drive forward positive growth in STEM industries.

He said: "There is increased competition to recruit technical talent that inhibits the market growth of several new, disruptive technologies.

"Government, industry, and academia need to find avenues of collaboration to highlight the benefits of an IT-related education, and help provide access to the training necessary to pursue Stem-related careers."